Coastal Maine town rejects development ban

A rendering of the commercial development Daniel Catlin hopes to build at 435 Main St. in Damariscotta.

By Maia Zewert, Lincoln County News •November 8, 2017 9:12 am

Damariscotta voters on Tuesday rejected a moratorium that would have placed a temporary ban on retail development larger than 2,500 square feet.

With 806 ballots cast, 420 residents voted against the moratorium, while 358 people voted in favor of enacting the temporary ban.

The moratorium, the result of a citizens’ petition, would have temporarily banned new retail buildings of larger than 2,500 square feet and any new construction, expansion or use that requires approval under town ordinances.

The moratorium, if enacted, would have lasted 180 days, retroactive to June 7 and ending Dec. 4.

At the time of Tuesday’s vote, the Damariscotta Planning Board had one application that would have been affected by the moratorium. Commercial Properties Inc. CEO Daniel Catlin has appeared before the planning board several times since July to present his plans for an 11-acre property at 435 Main St.

Catlin’s plan calls for the construction of three buildings: a 22,000-square-foot building for two commercial stores, a 5,525-square-foot building with three commercial spaces, and a 2,700-square-foot bank with a drive-thru.

The Damariscotta Planning Board will continue its review of Catlin’s application at its next meeting the evening of Monday, Nov. 13. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in the town office.